Trump ABOLISHES Dept of Education - Inside His Executive Order; Key Insights From JFK Files
The Josh Lafazan Show on YouTube - Episode 78
Today's top stories in U.S. news, politics, government, and world affairs:
In today's episode of The Josh Lafazan Show, we delve into significant political developments impacting the nation:
This week, we’re diving into some of the most important political stories shaping the country—starting with Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. The administration is moving forward with a plan to eliminate federal oversight in education, shifting all authority back to the states. But what does that actually mean for students, teachers, and families?
The Department of Education (DOE) plays a critical role in setting national education standards, enforcing civil rights protections, and funding essential programs like Title I for low-income schools, Pell Grants for college students, Head Start for early childhood education, and disability support services. Trump’s executive order could wipe out nearly $18 billion in funding for disadvantaged students, leaving millions of children without critical educational resources. In fact, students in red states would be hit hardest, since states like Mississippi, South Dakota, and Arkansas receive a disproportionately high amount of federal education funding. Meanwhile, wealthier states like New York, which relies less on federal dollars, would be less affected.
And it’s not just K-12 students at risk. The administration’s broader Project 2025 agenda includes eliminating federal student loans and shifting back to private lending, which historically came with higher interest rates and more predatory lending practices. The plan also proposes handing university accreditation over to the states, a move that could allow political interference in what schools can teach and who gets funding. While there’s no doubt the education system needs serious reform, is completely dismantling the DOE really the answer? We break down why this move is not about fixing education, but about a political agenda that could hurt millions of students and teachers.
Next, we turn to the latest in voting rights: New York’s controversial non-citizen voting law has been struck down by the state’s highest court. The law, which would have allowed over 800,000 non-citizens to vote in local elections, was ruled unconstitutional in a 6-to-1 decision. At the heart of the ruling is a fundamental question: Should voting rights be extended beyond U.S. citizens?
Supporters of the law argue that legal residents who live, work, and pay taxes in their communities deserve a voice in local elections, especially when those decisions affect schools, policing, and housing. But opponents—including Republicans and some moderate Democrats—warned that expanding voting rights beyond citizens could set a dangerous precedent and dilute the power of citizen voters. The court ruled that under the New York State Constitution, voting is explicitly reserved for U.S. citizens, and that any change to this would require a constitutional amendment, not just a city law. This decision is a major victory for those advocating for strict voter integrity laws, but it also highlights the growing tension between progressives and moderates within the Democratic Party on election issues.
Then, we shift to history with newly declassified JFK assassination files. If you were hoping for a bombshell revelation about who really killed JFK, these documents probably won’t change your mind—they confirm, yet again, that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. But the files do expose some fascinating details about Cold War intelligence operations, including:
The CIA’s long-running probe into Fidel Castro’s potential involvement in JFK’s murder, despite never finding any direct evidence.
A secret, close relationship between the CIA and Mexican President Adolfo López Mateos, who was so close to U.S. intelligence operatives that he served as best man at the wedding of a CIA station chief.
The CIA bugging meetings that Robert F. Kennedy was likely to attend, part of broader surveillance efforts.
The agency’s reluctance to reveal audio recordings of Oswald’s time in Mexico City, where he visited the Cuban and Soviet embassies just weeks before the assassination.
While these files don’t rewrite history, they do reveal just how deeply the CIA was involved in global espionage and political maneuvering, and why the intelligence community fought so hard to keep these documents classified for decades.
Moving to the 2028 election, is Minnesota Governor Tim Walz quietly positioning himself for a presidential run? His recent national tour has fueled speculation, and while he may not be a top-tier candidate yet, he does have a large constituency of support. However, is he really the right candidate for Democrats in 2028? We break down his strengths and weaknesses, as well as why his brand of leadership might not resonate beyond Minnesota.